Frances Escriva, BA '78, MBA '00, a University of St. Thomas transfer student, has served her University for more than 30 years. The proud recipient of the Rev. Vincent J. Guinan CSB Alumni of the Year Award for 2012, Escriva is an advocate for the St. Thomas mission of educating leaders of faith and character.

Escriva was an undergraduate in political science, a graduate student in business and a former president of the Alumni Board of Directors.

"This is a very prestigious award," Escriva said. "It is such an honor to be recognized by the UST community, a group that will always hold a special place in my heart."

The UST Alumni Association Board of Directors awarded Escriva, in May 2012, to recognize her outstanding contributions to St. Thomas and society through professional and personal excellence and outstanding community involvement.

Escriva, currently chief financial officer for Mid-South Telecommunications Company, stays involved with a long list of UST clubs and events. She has been class agent for the Class of 1978, served on several committees including reunion, homecoming and Student Affairs. She has supported various fund raising events such as Mardi Gras, the Fashion Show and the Irish Gala. Escriva even mentored for the UST Insights Mentoring Program. She is also an active member of St. Anne's Catholic Church community and a Basilian lay associate.

Clearly immersing her time in the St. Thomas community, Escriva sticks to the values she was taught as a student.

"My faith impacts all I do," Escriva said. "I believe the UST core values of goodness, discipline and knowledge was very evident by the actions of all members of the Alumni Board during my tenure. Whether we are working to raise funds to award more scholarships or just planning a fun event, our core values are ever present."

Escriva utilizes the Association to perpetuate relationships with past and future alumni.

"It is great to stay connected to your classmates and meet people from other years, even different generations," Escriva said. "There are so many ways of serving as alumni. You can talk about UST to prospective students, plant the seed in your friends and relatives' minds to consider UST. Being a role model in the community and doing your community service in the name of UST is part of it too."

The UST Alumni Association is dedicated to serving alumni interests, while strengthening the connection between alumni and the University. All students who have attended UST, regardless of length of study, are lifetime members. The Association is a non-due paying organization and has 15,000 members spanning the globe.

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University of St. Thomas
The University of St. Thomas, dedicated to educating leaders of faith and character, is a private institution committed to the liberal arts and to the religious, ethical and intellectual tradition of Catholic higher education. St. Thomas is Houston’s only Catholic University and was founded by the Basilian Fathers in 1947.